Jupiter commanded all the birds to appear before him so that he might choose the most beautiful to be their king. The ugly jackdaw, collecting all the fine feathers which had fallen from the other birds, attached them to his own body and appeared at the examination, looking very splendid. The other birds, recognizing their own borrowed plumage, indignantly protested and began to strip him.
"Hold!" said Jupiter. "This self-made bird has more sense than any of you. He is your king."